• Meng Qi, Guang-yu Zhao, Chang-jun Su, Ting Yang, and Yu Liu.
• Department of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
• Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Nov 1; 27 (11): 1237-9.

AimTo determine the age-related differences in the polysomnography (PSG) and clinical presentation of Chinese male adult subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and attempt to identify the age-specific effects on the severity of sleep apnea.MethodsThis retrospective study included a cohort of 836 Chinese male a-dult subjects, who were diagnosed with OSA by the initial overnight PSG and recruited from the clinic population. The eligible subjects were classified into three different age groups: 312 young (mean 37. 07 years), 359 middle-aged(mean 52. 14 years) and 165 older (mean 69.43 years),and their polysomnographic findings and clinical presentation were assessed for the age-specific differences.ResultsThe AHI-TST between the middle-aged and older subjects was similar (P > 0. 05), but less severe than the young(P <0.01). This trend was also observed in obstructive AI,AHI-NREM, and AHI-REM. The minimum SaO2 was higher in middle-aged and older subjects than in the young ones(P < 0.01). Central Al became greater following age in-crease (P <0.05). In sleep architecture, the elderly had lower total sleep time, sleep duration NREM or REM, and sleep efficiency than the younger (P < 0. 01), whereas sleep latency and WASO became longer ( P < 0. 01).Across all study population, age significantly correlated with AHI (P<0.01), obstructive Al (P<0.01), central AI (P<0.01) and minimum SaO2 ( P < 0. 01). Multiple regression analyses identified that age as an independent variable associated with AHI, obstructive Al and central Al respective- ly, after adjusting for confounding factors.ConclusionIn Chinese clinic subjects with OSA, age as an independent predictor associates with sleep apnea severity, presenting as decreased OSA and increased CSA with age.

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